DEAKIN HITS A NEW MILESTONE
DEAKIN University is this week celebrating its 250,000th graduate — a milestone in a period of rapid growth for the tertiary institute.
Bachelor of Nursing student Sophie Macfarlane was the graduate to receive the milestone Deakin degree. The university has been operating for 45 years.
About 1200 students graduated at the university’s winter graduation ceremonies, held during the past two days at its waterfront campus.
Prominent Geelong figures including investment adviser and former Geelong Cats player Michael Mansfield and Geelong businessman Robert Costa, chairman of Costa Asset Management, addressed the graduates.
Mr Costa was last night also awarded an honorary doctorate for his significant commitment to shaping the future of Geelong through his contributions to a range of community organisations.
Vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander, who will finish at the end of this month, said the university had experienced a surge in growth and community support in recent years, after celebrating its 200,000th graduate in only 2014.
“Deakin’s students are our greatest advocates, and we are delighted to have now helped 250,000 people realise their academic dreams,” Professor den Hollander said.
“It has been a privilege to be part of their education, and I encourage all of our graduates to remember the values they have learnt during their time with us, to be a force for good and show the world that Deakin has helped them to become the very best they can be.”